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FILE – On this day of April 24, 2015, Elizabeth Smart, survivor of a kidnapping, observes a press conference in Sandy, Utah. Wanda Barzee, a woman accused of helping a former street preacher, kidnapped by Smart in 2002, will be released from prison more than five years earlier than expected, a surprise decision that Smart described as "incomprehensible" on September 11, 2018 (AP Photo / Rick Bowmer, File)
SALT LAKE CITY – The latest news on Elizabeth Smart's reaction to the release of one of her kidnappers (all local times):
4:15 p.m.
Elizabeth Smart says that she has no desire to talk to her kidnapper after her unexpected jail release next week.
When asked on Thursday at a press conference if she had a message for Wanda Barzee, Smart says she has nothing to say.
Smart says that she forgave the 72-year-old man many years ago but that forgiveness does not mean "letting her come back into my life".
Smart says that she made the decision long ago that she never wanted to see or talk to Barzee again.
Barzee and her husband, a former street preacher, kidnapped a 14-year-old Smart in 2002 in her bedroom in Salt Lake City. Smart was recognized and saved after nine months.
Authorities in Utah said they had miscalculated the time Barzee had previously served in a federal prison.
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16h
Elizabeth Smart says that it seems that there is no viable legal remedy that she can take to prevent the release of one of her kidnappers.
Smart said at a press conference Thursday in Salt Lake City that she had discovered the release of 72-year-old Wanda Barzee shortly before the public.
She says she's trying to learn as much information as she can and explore every possible option.
His father, Ed Smart, was also present and said that his daughter, as a survivor of an abduction, should have been notified for a long time.
Barzee pleaded guilty to helping a former street preacher kidnap Smart in 2002 and keep her captive for nine months before the girl was found and saved.
Authorities in Utah said they miscalculated when Wanda Barzee, 72, had served in a federal prison.
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3:45 p.m.
Elizabeth Smart said Thursday that she urged the authorities to reconsider the planned release of one of her kidnappers, calling Wanda Barzee a danger to herself and the community.
"I think it's a threat to every vulnerable person in our community," Smart said at a press conference in Salt Lake City.
Barzee pleaded guilty to helping a former street preacher kidnap Smart in 2002 and keep her captive for nine months before the girl was found and saved.
Smart was removed from his room in Salt Lake City by a street preacher, Brian David Mitchell, who came in through an open kitchen window. The kidnapping caused waves of fear throughout the country.
Lawyer Scott Williams said Barzee had been diagnosed with several mental illnesses, but he's not worried that it's a danger to the community.
Mitchell is serving a life sentence.
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3:40 p.m.
Elizabeth Smart asks the authorities to reconsider the planned release of one of her kidnappers, saying that Wanda Barzee remains a threat to her.
Barzee will be released next week after authorities in Utah have determined that they have miscalculated the time spent in federal custody.
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12:48
Elizabeth Smart is expected to discuss the surprise announcement that one of the people who kidnapped her at the age of 14 will be released from jail.
Smart is expected to hold a press conference Thursday on the release of 72-year-old Wanda Barzee, who will be released next week. Authorities in Utah determined that they had miscalculated Barzee's time in federal custody.
Smart described as "incomprehensible" the fact that Barzee was released despite not having undergone any mental health assessments or attending a parole hearing in June.
Smart, now a speaker and a 30-year-old activist, said in a statement that she was exploring her options.
Barzee pleaded guilty to helping a former street preacher kidnap Smart in 2002 and keep her captive for nine months before the girl was found and saved.
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